About the Festival

Dear Friend of Music:

Acclaimed by Phi Beta Baton as “…one of the nation’s proving grounds for gifted young artists,” the Bar Harbor Music Festival, founded by violinist Francis Fortier in 1967, has gained national recognition for its unique and pioneering work on behalf of young artists.

The Festival has made a major contribution to the music world by advancing the careers of over 2,100 aspiring instrumentalists, singers, and composers. Coupled with our “Arts and Tourism” initiatives, it has provided a vital cultural and economic service for the community and visitors from all over the world.

The 2017 51st Season will be remembered as the best ever, filled with inspiring artistry, exhilarating lecture-demonstrations, and enchanting Young Audience Concerts.

The Festival’s outreach programs, such as the admission-free outdoor concerts in Acadia National Park and artist-in-residence programs in American schools, colleges, and universities, have won new audiences for classical music and fostered music education.

Its annual Summer Festival and Touring Program have reached out to audiences totaling over one million, as music lovers gravitate to this musical gem in the spectacular setting of Bar Harbor, Maine.

The 2018 52nd Season, July 1–July 29, promises the unique variety and extraordinary quality for which this Festival has become known and loved.